Wednesday, July 5, 2017

The Story Behind Scribble & Author by Miri Leshem-Pelly

What would it be like if I, as an author, could talk with one of my
characters? This was the thought that popped up in my head once. I
started to think about it and realized an interesting conflict. Authors
usually love their characters, right? They care about them and even
identify with them in a way. But on the other hand, authors make their
characters suffer… Authors know that if they want their story to be
interesting and engaging, they need to make their protagonist face some
problems and challenges,
sometimes even real danger. Therefore it is very likely that characters
would have a lot to say to their authors, who are responsible to all of
their misery.

That thought sparked the idea for my new picture book for children. I
decided to create a story which would be based on a dialogue between
the author and his character. I’m also the illustrator, so I had an
interesting visual concept to go along with such a story. I decided not
to illustrate the author, even though he is a character in this book (I
know, it’s a bit confusing…) but instead, to show the author’s tools,
such as pencil, eraser etc., as if they are on the page.

The protagonist is a little Scribble, made of a watercolor spot with
some pencil lines, and that’s her name – Scribble. Scribble and Author
talk, while the author is creating the story. But Scribble doesn’t
always like the story. Can she change the plot? Can the author make her
do something she doesn’t want? Who really gets to tell the tale? If you
ever wrote a fiction story, maybe you know the feeling yourself. You
create the character, but once you did, it has a life of its own, and
the story is not totally in your control anymore.

So if you’re curious to find out what happens when an author meets
and interacts with his character – Scribble & Author is the book for
you!

About the Author

Miri Leshem-Pelly is the author-illustrator of 14 children’s books.
She’s also illustrated 14 books for other writers. When Miri isn’t
writing she can be found speaking at schools, kindergartens and
libraries. She is invited to do more than 200 presentations with her
books per year. Miri is also a Regional Advisor for SCBWI (Society of
Children’s book writers & illustrators).
Miri is represented by Olswanger Literary Agency.
Miri’s works have won awards and her illustrations have been shown on several exhibitions.
Miri lives in Israel with her husband and two children, and loves reading books and going on nature hikes.
Her latest book is Scribble & Author.